“Shizuku, as soon as that treatment’s ready, you’re first in line. I promise. So just hang in there, okay? Three more years. That’s all we need.”
“Is it really okay? For me…to keep living? To be a burden to you, to Mom, to Dad?”
“Don’t you dare think that, Shizuku, not even for a second. Besides, I need you to get better. Because when you do, you owe me. Big time.”
“Yeah… Yeah…! I will… I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
She wiped her face hastily with the back of her hand, a muffled sob the last thing I heard before her mic went silent. Her hand reached out to the camera, blacking out the screen.
“It’s okay, Shizuku, I’m here with you,” I whispered, reaching out to caress the now dark laptop screen, wishing I could wipe her tears away. Soon enough, the screen lit up again, revealing Shizuku’s red, swollen eyes, her embarrassed yet relieved smile peeking through.
“Mio. Am I really, really, not a burden?” She sounded more secure, yet vulnerable still. “I don’t want to give up. I want to live, so badly. But is that okay?”
I smiled, trying to pour every ounce of my love and encouragement into the gesture. “Of course, it’s okay. And I’ll be by your side every step of the way, making sure you reach that happy ending. You and me, together.”
Her laugh, to finally hear it, was the sweetest melody. “Thank you, Mio. Having a sister like you…it’s more than I could ever ask for. I promise, I’ll keep fighting. Just a little longer.”
“You and me both. Here’s to both of our happy endings.”
“Yeah. You and me both.” A comfortable silence fell. “Okay, well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, talk to you tomorrow.”
Our smiles lingered as we ended the call. I exhaled deeply, only to be interrupted by a knock at the door. Granting permission, I watched Shizuki stride in. She must have been waiting for me to finish.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” I said as we settled across from each other on my lounge set.
“Not at all. Keeping your sister’s spirits up is a part of the job as well.”
“You overheard?”
“Bits and pieces. But that’s not what I’m here for. Let’s discuss the rumors going around the Academy.”
“Right. Well, someone clearly has it out for me.”
That was all I could confirm now. Not whether there was any solid evidence behind the rumors, nor anything else. The rumors being deliberate suggested that someone with a grudge against either me or the Sakurazaka family was responsible. And while the family had no shortage of enemies, my own adversaries could be counted on one hand.
“As for potential suspects, I can only think of Rikka, the two toadies, Riku, or Ruki,” I noted.
“It’s interesting you consider Rikka a suspect.”
“Yes. At least, I can’t rule her out completely.”
Rikka, I thought to be a person of integrity. Ruki, a considerate soul, through and through. Even Riku, I found to be driven by a strong moral compass, committed to challenging those who misused power and status. But, like all offspring of zaibatsu families, there was no telling what lurked behind those smiles, much as Shizuki’s and mine were shaped by our secret ambitions.
“Though it must be said the only suspects with an overt motive against me are the two toadies,” I added.
“Yes, and I can confirm them to be behind the rumors.”
She confirmed the source, just like that. This meant we could erase Ruki and Riku from the evidence board. “With those two as the main culprits, that leaves Rikka potentially at the helm, though I’m reluctant to believe she’s involved.”
“Taken a liking to her, have you?”
“She’s shown faith in me.”
Despite witnessing firsthand the way I treated Nonoka, Rikka still chose to believe in my better nature. Our bond wasn’t built on anything as solid as friendship, yet I couldn’t help but hope she wasn’t part of this.
“Then you’ll be relieved to hear that I share in your assessment,” Shizuki stated. “Ruki would likely have dissuaded his cousin from instigating anything.”
“Because he sees through your trap?” I looked at her.
She returned my gaze, then with a small sigh, she continued, “I suppose I shouldn’t keep the truth from you any longer.” She fanned out a few documents on the coffee table between us. Family registers—mine and my family’s. “You once said, Mio, that Shizuku remains your sister, whether you two are related by law or not.”
“I did, but…”
I scanned the documents, and my breath caught sharply. It was as if Shizuki waited until that moment to speak, her clear, resonant voice shaking me to my very core: “Well, Mio, legally, you’ve never ceased being her sister.”
The documents laid it bare. My identity as a Sato was intact. I was, and always had been, Shizuku’s sister. As this truth dawned on me, a lone tear traced its path down my cheek. “You had this planned from the very start?”
She smiled knowingly “I have a laid a trap, Mio. And in it, I’ve ensnared the naive. Now, it is up to you to use their folly to proclaim your truth—that you are a true Sakurazaka. That you are a true villainess.”
All along, Shizuki had been the puppeteer, masterminding each step. Realizing her craftiness sent an icy shudder through me, but this sensation swiftly gave way to a comforting warmth, as I recognized the fortune of having her as an ally rather than a foe. As the understanding of my next move dawned on me, my villainess side effortlessly took charge. Sweeping a lock of hair from my shoulder, I declared, “I understand completely, my dear sister.”
“Then go forth, Mio. Teach those playground bullies the meaning of true villainy.”